The district attorney is an attorney who is elected for a four-year term by the voters within the district he or she serves. District attorneys are not allowed to engage in the private practice of law.

The primary duty of the district attorney is to prosecute all criminal cases filed in the district. The district attorney represents the state in all criminal and some juvenile matters. In addition, the district attorney is responsible for preparing the criminal trial docket and advising law enforcement officers in the district.

Roxann Vaneekhoven, was elected to serve as Cabarrus County's District Attorney in November of 2002. She joined the District Attorney's office in February of 1996, and served as an Assistant District Attorney for approximately seven years prior to being elected. In 1995, she graduated from Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, Virginia where she earned her Juris Doctor degree. She obtained her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from St. Bonaventure University in Olean, New York in 1991.